Madison Bumgarner is many things: World Series champion, dominant starting pitcher, lousy dirt bike rider. And if the baseball playoffs over the past three seasons are any indication, you can add benchmark of success to the list.

Managers have a history of an "all hands on deck" mentality when it comes to their pitching staffs in the postseason. From Greg Maddux, to Pedro Martinez, to Randy Johnson and a number of others, teams have had their best starting pitchers come into the game in relief with the season on the line.

Pitching on just two days rest with a suspect bullpen behind him, Bumgarner in 2014 dominated the Royals in an elimination game and led the Giants to their third championship in five years. It made him a household name overnight, booked him appearances on late night talk shows, and even led to his own line of underwear.

But his success also had an effect on baseball going forward, in that it accelerated greater use of starters as relievers in key games. Since Bumgarner's 2014 appearance, there have been a number of ace pitchers to try their hands at playoff relief, to varying success.

Here's a look at how some of those starters have fared in the most high-pressure playoff situations over the past three postseasons, including the current one.

Noah Syndergaard, 2015 NLDS Game 5

1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

The Mets and Dodgers found themselves in do or die Game 5 to advance to the NLCS, and Mets starter Jacob deGrom was so shaky in the beginning of the game that Syndergaard was warming up as early as the second inning. But deGrom settled in and lasted six innings, while the Mets broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth to take a one-run lead. New York called on Syndergaard in the seventh to be the bridge to closer Jeurys Familia and he didn't disappoint, striking out both Corey Seager and Justin Turner in the process. Familia came on for a two-inning save, and the Mets advanced to play the Cubs for the league championship.

Clayton Kershaw, 2016 NLDS Game 5

0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, SV

The Dodgers found themselves clinging to a one-run lead late against the Nationals in Game 5 of their division series, and brought Kenley Jansen in for a two-inning save in the eighth. He made it through unscathed until, with one out in the bottom of the ninth, he walked two batters to put the series-winning run on first. With Daniel Murphy due up, the Dodgers turned to their ace. Kershaw quickly dispatched Murphy on two pitches with an infield pop up, then struck out Wilmer Difo to end the game and win the series. Kershaw put to rest his reputation for postseason struggles with just seven pitches, making short work of the Nats and snuffing out their threat.

Jon Lester, 2016 World Series Game 7

3IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB

Like Bumgarner, Lester was a dominant left-handed starter entering in the middle innings of a World Series Game 7 to protect a lead. Unlike Bumgarner, Lester couldn't quite take it all the way home for his team. But he certainly pitched well, entering in the fifth inning with his team ahead 5-1. Lester threw a wild pitch that inning that allowed two runs to score, but he quickly settled in and kept the Indians at bay by allowing only two hits the rest of the way. After getting two quick outs in the eighth, he gave up a single and was replaced by Aroldis Chapman, who promptly gave up a double and a home run that tied the game. The Cubs would eventually win the game and the World Series, but Lester's strong outing is largely forgotten because of the craziness of the later innings.

Max Scherzer, 2017 NLDS Game 5

1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 K, 1 BB, BS, L

It seemed like the right move at the time, bringing in arguably the league's most dominating pitcher to protect a one run lead in an elimination game. And it started off well enough with Scherzer retiring Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo for two quick outs. Then it all fell apart: two straight singles, a double, an intentional walk, a passed ball, catcher's interference, and a hit batsman all contributed to an absolute nightmare of an inning for Scherzer and the Nats. By the time it was over, Washington's 4-3 lead had turned into a 7-4 deficit. They made the game close, but the Nationals would never regain the lead and found themselves going home early yet again. Scherzer ran into a bit of bad luck, but this game showed that bringing your ace in to protect a late lead doesn't always work out.

Justin Verlander, 2017 ALDS Game 4

2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, W

Verlander's outing was saved by the Astros' offense. He entered in the fifth inning with a runner on and his team ahead by a run, and promptly gave up a home run that gave the Red Sox the lead. He didn't allow another hit after that and ended up the winning pitcher at the expense of ...

Chris Sale, 2017 ALDS Game 4

4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 K, L

Sale cruised through four innings of relief before allowing the game-tying homer to Alex Bregman in the top of the eighth. Sale was able to get two outs before being replaced with a runner on, but the bullpen gave up the lead and Boston's top starter was stuck with the loss. This game was a microcosm of how top starters fare in relief: a tale of two aces.